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  • Residential construction spending averages $877.1 billion in June

    Residential construction spending averages $877.1 billion in June

    On Aug. 3, 2026, the United States Census Bureau released its Monthly Construction Spending in June 2026 report. According to the report, residential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $877.1 billion in June, 0.3% (±1.3%)* below the revised May estimate of $879.9 billion.

    Total construction spending during June 2026 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,166.5 billion, 0.1% (±0.8%)* below the revised May estimate of $2,168.5 billion. The June figure is 3.2% below the June 2025 estimate of $2,237.7 billion. During the first six months of this year, construction spending amounted to $1,046.9 billion, 3.5% below the $1,084.5 billion for the same period in 2025.

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  • Mortgage rates average 6.66%

    Mortgage rates average 6.66%

    On July 30, 2026, Freddie Mac released the latest results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.66%. This was up from the week prior’s average of 6.58%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.72%.

    “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.66% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “The housing market continues to benefit from more available inventory, providing prospective homebuyers with additional options and helping support buyer activity as mortgage rates fluctuate.”

    The 15-year FRM averaged 6.04%, up from the previous week when it averaged 5.96%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.85%.

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  • Dream Finders Homes reports Q2 results

    Dream Finders Homes reports Q2 results

    On July 30, 2026, Dream Finders Homes (DFH) announced its Q2 2026 results: sales are up, but margins are down. According to the release from DFH, net sales increased 15% to 2,232 from 1,938 and home closings increased 3% to 2,290 from 2,232 year-over-year.

    Despite these seemingly positive figures, the company reported its homebuilding gross margin fell from 16.5% to 14.2%. DFH noted that there were higher land and financing costs. Another factor could be the high regulatory costs for finished lots and overall economic headwinds.

    Homebuilding revenues also decreased 8% in Q2 2026 compared to Q2 2025, largely attributed to a lower average selling price in product mix and geographic locations.

    “The home building market continues to be challenging, but our teams have worked hard to identify opportunities to improve our cost structure with the goal of delivering more affordable homes to our customers,” said Patrick Zalupski, Dream Finders Homes Founder, Co-Chairman and CEO. “We believe costs will need to continue to trend down, perhaps significantly, to have a meaningful impact on market-wide housing results.”

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Housing Economy >

  • Starter-home affordability improves for 8th consecutive month

    Starter-home affordability improves for 8th consecutive month

    According to a new analysis from Redfin, starter-home affordability is improving. The income needed to afford an average U.S. starter home is down 1.5% from a year ago, marking eight straight months of declines as price growth cools. Affordability for entry-level homes is improving more than the overall market; the income needed to buy the typical U.S. home is down just 0.5% because price growth remains stronger at higher price points as affluent buyers remain active.

    “We consider a home affordable if a buyer taking out a mortgage would spend no more than 30% of their income on their monthly housing payment. Starter homes are those in the 5th to 35th percentile for sale prices,” said Redfin in its analysis. “This is based on a Redfin analysis of median home sale prices, prevailing mortgage rates and property-tax payments and assumes a 15% down payment. This report focuses on June 2026, the most recent period for which data is available.”

    The analysis found that the income needed to buy a starter home is declining while earnings are rising. The typical American household earns an estimated $87,599, about $17,000 more than what is needed to buy the median-priced U.S. starter home.

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  • Federal Reserve holds rates steady for fifth consecutive month

    Federal Reserve holds rates steady for fifth consecutive month

    The Federal Reserve, during its July policy meeting, decided to hold interest rates at 3.5% to 3.75%. This comes amid elevated inflation rates, which were attributed to supply shocks. This is also the Fed’s fifth consecutive hold; the last rate cut was in December 2025.

    “The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent, in support of the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate,” the Board said in a statement. “The Committee is continuing its policy of maintaining ample reserves in the banking system.”

    This is Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s second decision of his tenure since he took the helm in May. The National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist, Robert Dietz, discussed what this means for builders.

    “If you squint a little, this can be seen as a dovish policy message because, while the Fed can affect aggregate demand by tightening monetary policy (as the bond market appears to expect), the central bank cannot effectively address supply shocks with policy,” said Dietz. “While this should not be interpreted as taking rate hikes off the table, it is an accurate statement of current macroeconomic conditions and many analysts’ views that the Fed cannot solve energy price increases due to war or one-off tariff effects with monetary policy.

  • New home sales edge higher

    New home sales edge higher

    According to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, newly built single-family home sales rose 1.6% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 628,000.

    “New home sales are gaining some momentum at the more affordable range of the market, with homes priced below $300,000 accounting for 23% of June sales, up from 16% a year earlier,” said the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “However, that price point is generally only achievable in markets with lower development and construction costs, particularly with respect to lower state and local regulatory costs.”

    “The pace of new home sales has remained constrained in recent months by elevated mortgage rates,” said Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio. “Builders continue to use incentives to support sales, with NAHB survey data showing that 62% of builders offered some form of incentive in June.”

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Industry Developments >

  • Dream Finders Homes acquires Beazer Homes for $2.2 billion

    Dream Finders Homes acquires Beazer Homes for $2.2 billion

    It’s official: Dream Finders Homes (DFH) will acquire Beazer Homes in a $2.2 billion deal. This comes after multiple public rounds of offers from DFH to acquire the Atlanta-based builder.

    The offer values Beazer Homes at $33.50 per share, up from Dream Finders’ last offer in July of $32.00 per share.

    The combined company will operate in 26 markets across high-demand areas in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, the Midwest, Texas and the West.

    “As someone who started Dream Finders from the ground up, I know what it takes to build a culture that puts homebuyers first and that’s exactly what I see in Beazer,” said Patrick Zalupski, Founder, CEO and Co-Chairman of Dream Finders. “They have built something genuinely special – a talented team, strong communities, and a culture that puts customers at the center of everything they do. That resonates deeply with us. This combination is the next meaningful step in our journey to become a top 5 national homebuilder, expanding our geographic reach, broadening the range of buyers we can serve and strengthening the integrated services we offer families from contract to close.”

    Dream Finders then reaffirmed its full-year 2026 outlook of 9,250 homes. It’s unclear whether the combined builder will hold the same energy-efficient priorities of Beazer Homes.

    “Over nearly 20 years, we have transformed Beazer into one of the nation’s largest homebuilders through a strategy focused on delivering on energy-efficient homes and best-in-class customer experiences,” said Allan P. Merrill, Chairman, President and CEO of Beazer Homes. “This transaction represents the culmination of a comprehensive review of opportunities to maximize value and provides Beazer shareholders with a significant and certain cash return in an uncertain market. I am proud of our people and want to thank our entire organization for their exceptional work to ensure that, together with Dream Finders, we continue providing homebuyers across the country with a high-quality product and outstanding service.”

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  • Highland Homes announces restructuring

    Highland Homes announces restructuring

    Highland Homes, the Texas-based homebuilder, announced a new division-led organizational structure. Under the new structure, local functional teams will report directly to a Division President.

    With that comes the posting of new Division Presidents: Jarod Mouton to lead Houston, and John DePasquale to lead Highland’s Central Texas division, serving the Austin and San Antonio markets.

    This change is designed to strengthen local market leadership, sharpen accountability and bring decision-making closer to the customers and communities it serves.

    “Highland’s success has always come from understanding what homebuyers value in each market and empowering our people to deliver it,” said Aaron Graham, Chairman and CEO of Highland Homes. “This structure brings leadership and decision-making closer to our customers while giving our senior functional leaders greater capacity to advance the products, technology and growth strategies that will shape Highland’s future. We were deliberate about the structure, the leaders and the timing, and I’m confident it positions us to serve our customers and employee owners even better in every market.”

    Highland also announced several promotions as part of the new structure. Stephen Chambers has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and will lead Architectural Services and New Product Development, Supply Chain, Information Technology, Marketing and MarTech.

    Jeff Stinson is promoted to Chief Strategy and Land Officer; he will lead enterprise strategy and land initiatives to support Highland’s long-term growth. Amy Jones is promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing in Dallas-Fort Worth.

    The changes follow months of planning and preparation to ensure the structure, leadership and timing were right for Highland. The company expects the division-led framework to strengthen its ability to serve homebuyers, create opportunities for its employee owners and build on its position in every Texas market it serves.

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  • Danielian Associates Architects + Planners Acquires Irwin Partners Architects

    Danielian Associates Architects + Planners Acquires Irwin Partners Architects

    Danielian Associates Architects + Planners (DA) announced that Irwin Partners Architects (IPA) joined the team as a Danielian Associates company.

    Bringing together two of Orange County’s longest-standing residential design firms, the partnership expands the expertise and resources available to clients while preserving the trusted relationships, personalized service and experienced team that have defined IPA for more than 60 years.

    IPA, as a Danielian Associates company, will continue serving its clients through the same leadership, project teams, and client relationships, now supported by Danielian’s well-versed design teams.

    Together, the firms offer expanded expertise in senior housing, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, affordable housing, build-to-rent, multifamily, mixed-use, master-planned communities and community planning, creating a stronger team ready to serve the evolving housing market across the country.

     

    “For nearly six decades, Danielian has been committed to exceptional residential design and lasting client relationships,” said John Danielian, AIA, LEED AP, President of Danielian Associates. “IPA has built an outstanding reputation through its talented team and trusted client partnerships. Together, we are creating an even stronger firm while maintaining the values that have defined both organizations.”

     

    Joining DA allows us to build on everything our clients already value about Irwin Partners,” said Greg Irwin, head of Irwin Partners Architects. “The people they know and trust remain the same. We now have more resources behind our team to better serve them.”

    Together, Danielian Associates and Irwin Partners are building on more than a century of combined residential design experience, creating a stronger platform to serve clients with the same trusted relationships, expanded expertise and greater resources for the future. Danielian Associates Architects + Planners proudly announces that Irwin Partners Architects has joined the team as a Danielian Associates company.

    Read Full Article 

     

Market Research >

  • Residential construction spending averages $877.1 billion in June

    Residential construction spending averages $877.1 billion in June

    On Aug. 3, 2026, the United States Census Bureau released its Monthly Construction Spending in June 2026 report. According to the report, residential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $877.1 billion in June, 0.3% (±1.3%)* below the revised May estimate of $879.9 billion.

    Total construction spending during June 2026 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,166.5 billion, 0.1% (±0.8%)* below the revised May estimate of $2,168.5 billion. The June figure is 3.2% below the June 2025 estimate of $2,237.7 billion. During the first six months of this year, construction spending amounted to $1,046.9 billion, 3.5% below the $1,084.5 billion for the same period in 2025.

    Read Full Article

  • Mortgage rates average 6.66%

    Mortgage rates average 6.66%

    On July 30, 2026, Freddie Mac released the latest results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.66%. This was up from the week prior’s average of 6.58%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.72%.

    “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.66% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “The housing market continues to benefit from more available inventory, providing prospective homebuyers with additional options and helping support buyer activity as mortgage rates fluctuate.”

    The 15-year FRM averaged 6.04%, up from the previous week when it averaged 5.96%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.85%.

    Read Full Article

  • Mortgage rates average 6.58%

    Mortgage rates average 6.58%

    On July 23, 2026, Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, revealing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.58%, up from the week before when it averaged 6.55%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.74%.

    “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.58% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “As market conditions continue to evolve, borrowers should remember that shopping around for a mortgage rate can make a meaningful difference, potentially saving them thousands over the loan’s lifetime.”

    The 15-year FRM averaged 5.96%, up from the week before when it averaged 5.93%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.87%.

    Read Full Article

  • Federal Reserve holds rates steady for fifth consecutive month

    Federal Reserve holds rates steady for fifth consecutive month

    The Federal Reserve, during its July policy meeting, decided to hold interest rates at 3.5% to 3.75%. This comes amid elevated inflation rates, which were attributed to supply shocks. This is also the Fed’s fifth consecutive hold; the last rate cut was in December 2025.

    “The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent, in support of the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate,” the Board said in a statement. “The Committee is continuing its policy of maintaining ample reserves in the banking system.”

    This is Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s second decision of his tenure since he took the helm in May. The National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist, Robert Dietz, discussed what this means for builders.

    “If you squint a little, this can be seen as a dovish policy message because, while the Fed can affect aggregate demand by tightening monetary policy (as the bond market appears to expect), the central bank cannot effectively address supply shocks with policy,” said Dietz. “While this should not be interpreted as taking rate hikes off the table, it is an accurate statement of current macroeconomic conditions and many analysts’ views that the Fed cannot solve energy price increases due to war or one-off tariff effects with monetary policy.

  • New home sales edge higher

    New home sales edge higher

    According to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, newly built single-family home sales rose 1.6% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 628,000.

    “New home sales are gaining some momentum at the more affordable range of the market, with homes priced below $300,000 accounting for 23% of June sales, up from 16% a year earlier,” said the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “However, that price point is generally only achievable in markets with lower development and construction costs, particularly with respect to lower state and local regulatory costs.”

    “The pace of new home sales has remained constrained in recent months by elevated mortgage rates,” said Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio. “Builders continue to use incentives to support sales, with NAHB survey data showing that 62% of builders offered some form of incentive in June.”

    Read Full Article

  • With Exhibitor Space Sold Out, Registration is Open for the 2026 Building Industry Show, the “Not Your Typical Tradeshow” Experience

    With Exhibitor Space Sold Out, Registration is Open for the 2026 Building Industry Show, the “Not Your Typical Tradeshow” Experience

    It’s official: The highly-anticipated exhibitor show floor at the upcoming Building Industry Show (BIS) has sold out all available booth space. While exhibitor space is full, registration is open for those homebuilding industry pros who want to be in the room for exclusive access to homebuilders, trade associates, service providers and other leading companies spanning Southern California’s homebuilding industry.

    BIS 2026, hosted by the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC), returns to Indian Wells in September for its high-energy takeover of the region’s home building scene, bringing together the nation’s top homebuilders and more than 1,000 of the industry’s biggest players for two epic days of business-to-business networking, entertainment, industry education and business opportunities and event experiences.

    The nation’s top homebuilders at BIS, with more to be announced, include Lennar Homes, CBC Homes, Crestwood Communities, Davidson Communities, Meritage Homes, Pacific Communities, Richmond American, Risewell Homes, Shea Homes, Toll Brothers, Tri Pointe Homes and Warmington Residential.

    Dubbed as “not your typical tradeshow,” BIS 2026 will deliver an abundance of experiences for attendees:

    •  Exhibitor Show Floor Experience
      • Over 100 exhibitor booths with Southern California’s top homebuilders and housing professionals showcasing the latest in industry trends, products and services.
    •  Meet the Builder Session
      • One-on-one networking opportunities connecting exhibitors, associates and decision-makers for increased opportunities to grow business.
    • Casino-Style Gaming
      • Casino-style gaming tables on the exhibitor floor where attendees can network and win prizes.
    • Over $10,000 in Massive Prizes
      • Opportunities to win a Hawaiian getaway, an ultimate pro sports tickets package, luxury golf escapes at famed Pebble Beach Resorts and Pelican Hill Golf Club, tickets to see Bruno Mars, and tickets to see Metallica at the Las Vegas Sphere.
    • Styx & Chicago Live in Concert
      • Attendees will receive tickets to experience two legendary rock bands performing live at Acrisure Arena.
    • Builders vs. Associates Golf Tournament
      • A friendly yet competitive tournament bringing together builders and industry partners for a memorable day on the course.
    • Live iHeartRadio Broadcast
      • A live broadcast from the show floor featuring interviews with industry leaders and exhibitors throughout the exhibitor show floor experience.
    • Davidson Communities Wine Tasting & Model Home Tour
      • An exclusive wine tasting experience and guided tour of a Davidson Communities model home at Cotino™, the new Storyliving by Disney © Community in the Coachella Valley.
    • Industry Education Sessions
      • Insightful presentations and discussions covering the latest trends, challenges, innovations and opportunities impacting homebuilding.
    • Exhibitor Reception & Networking Events
      • Multiple opportunities to connect with builders, developers, suppliers and decision-makers in a relaxed environment.
    • Chapter Board Installation Gala Dinner
      • An elegant evening recognizing incoming chapter presidents, board members and volunteer leaders.

    As one attendee of past BIS events attested, “There is no trade show like BIS. The builders come to the exhibitor floor and stay due to all the important industry strategic meetings, networking programs and entertainment throughout the day and night.”

    “BIS 2026 was designed with a simple goal: create an event where meaningful business relationships happen naturally – all in a fun, festive environment,” said Jeff Montejano, BIASC Chief Executive Officer. “Rather than relying on the traditional trade show format, we’ve built an experience that is engaging, interactive and centered on bringing people together. From the exhibit hall to every networking opportunity throughout the event, every element is intentionally designed to encourage conversations, strengthen partnerships and deliver lasting value for our members and exhibitors.”

    BIS dates and location:
    September 2-3, 2026

    Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
    Companies interested in having a booth at the BIS exhibitor show floor are encouraged to secure a spot on the waiting list by contacting us at membership@biasc.org.

    How to Register as an Attendee and Boost Business Through Sponsorship
    To secure a spot as an attendee as this event that is expected to fully sell out and to boost business visibility among Southern California’s homebuilding industry, visit www.BuildingIndustryShow.com

    About BIASC

    The Building Industry Association of Southern California is the voice of the region’s building industry, with five chapters offering localized services to building professionals from Ventura to the southern tip of Orange County. For more than a century, the association has served its builder and associate members by anticipating, protecting, and promoting their common interests through a wide range of programs, services, councils, and committees. For more information on the Building Industry Association of Southern California, visit biasc.org.

  • Starter home prices outpace buyer income

    Starter home prices outpace buyer income

    The average age of a homeowner is 44, despite Gen Z homeownership rising in 2025. However, for buyers its not finding a home that is a challenge.

    According to recent research from Realtor, there are 300,000 fewer starter homes than before the pandemic. To address this, builders in 2026 are building on smaller lots at a quicker pace than the year before.

    The reality is the cost to purchase a starter home has dramatically increased. The average price of a starter home has risen from $256,000 in 2019 to $344,000 today. Consumer buying power and salaries have not followed suit. The average income needed to purchase is $78,000, up from $43,000 in 2019, while over the same period median household income rose only 28.3% at an estimated $69,000 to $88,100.

    “The barrier for today’s starter home buyer isn’t finding a home, it’s qualifying for one,” said Senior Economist “With mortgage rates still in the mid-6% range and the income needed to purchase a typical starter home up more than 80% since 2019, many would-be buyers are sitting on the sidelines even as listings accumulate.

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  • New single-family homes shift to smaller lots

    New single-family homes shift to smaller lots

    The long-term trend of building single-family detached homes on smaller lots appears to have stabilized. According to an analysis from the National Association of Home Builders, new single-family detached homes have steadily shifted toward smaller lots as a direct result of builders’ efforts to improve affordability and attract homebuyers.

    According to the latest Survey of Construction, the share of new homes built on smaller lots remained near record highs in 2025, following more than a decade of steadily shrinking lot sizes.

    The share of small lots remained high in 2025, with close to two-thirds of new single-family detached homes sold occupying lots under 9,000 square feet. Moreover, 38% of lots were under 7,000 square feet. These shares are just slightly below the record highs established over the last two years.

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  • June AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index gains three points

    June AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index gains three points

    The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently released the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index® (ABI) for June; the score at 47.3 is a three-point increase from May.

    While the reading increased, a metric below 50 indicates an equal share of firms reporting decreases and increases.

    The South continues its reign as the strongest market with a reading at 49.5, despite a 0.01% decrease from May. The West trails at 45.6 with the Midwest close behind at 45.1. The Northeast dropped from 46.2 in May to 44.9 reading in June.

    “Architecture firms remain mired in one of the longest running downturns in the 30-plus year history of the ABI, which now stretches to 41 months without a majority of firms reporting billings growth,” said AIA Chief Economist, Richard Branch. “The uncertainty over the conflict in Iran along with high interest rates and significant labor shortages will continue to weigh on construction – and architect billings over the next several months.”

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Exclusive Feature

Exclusive Feature

  • A new era for homebuilding: 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is law

    A new era for homebuilding: 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is law

    The homebuilding industry celebrates a major legislative milestone this week: the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is officially law. Since the bipartisan bill was first introduced in 2025, it was shaped and championed by various industry organizations to increase housing development across the country.

    The bill, with over 50 sections, notably decreases regulatory barriers to building, including the modernization of HUD programs. The bill also aims to increase first-time homeowners with the expansion of local lending for housing construction and mortgages.

    “For too many Americans, finding an affordable home has become increasingly out of reach,” said American Institute of Architects 2026 President Illya Azaroff, FAIA, in a statement. “This law is an important step toward changing that. Architects are essential partners in creating housing that is safe, resilient and designed to meet the needs of every community. AIA has long advocated for policies that make it easier to build more housing and we will continue working with policymakers and federal agencies to help turn these reforms into homes people can live in.”

    “NAHB applauds Congress and the Trump administration for delivering a bipartisan housing victory for the American people. Strong support in both chambers makes clear that housing affordability is a national priority,” said Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, in a statement. “By reducing regulatory barriers, helping builders increase supply and expanding opportunities for homeownership and rental housing, this landmark law is an important step toward easing the nation’s housing affordability crisis. We look forward to working with the administration and Congress to implement it.”

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  • Single-story home starts increase in 2025

    Single-story home starts increase in 2025

    According to the recent release of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction, while the gap between one-story and two-or-more-story shares has been relatively stable since 2021, 2025 saw a slight decrease in two-or-more-story starts. Two-or-more story starts dropped in 2025 to 51.4% from 52.2% in 2024.

    Meanwhile, the share of new homes with one story rose from 47.5% to 48.6%. Despite the decline, more than half of new homes built nationally in 2025 were two or more stories, though this share varied significantly across the nation.

    New homes started in the Midwest and the South generally favored single-story homes, while the Northeast and the West had higher shares of two or more stories.

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  • D.R. Horton to build nearly 200-home subdivision in Virginia

    D.R. Horton to build nearly 200-home subdivision in Virginia

    D.R. Horton is set to build a 195-home subdivision on a 265-acre lot in Goochland, Va. The homes will average between 3,000 and 4,000 square feet on lots that range from 1 to 5 acres. Goochland supervisors approved plans for the Rural Hill on the James in 2021.

    “They saw that there was a huge shortage of land in the region,” said Long & Foster Real Estate Kyle Yeatman. “D.R. Horton wanted the project the most. They thought that this would probably be the biggest subdivision that Goochland maybe ever approves, so they wanted to get their hands on it.”

    The phased development will consist of four sections, the first of which will consist of 66 homes on smaller lots, served by county water and sewer. Subsequent phases will involve larger lots that will connect to county water and use septic systems.

    Developer and real estate agent Kyle Yeatman said the five years since the board approved zoning for Rural Hill have been spent securing easements around the property, adding land and working with county staff on other aspects of the project. Yeatman said that D.R. Horton will take over the project once it completes its land purchase, which is scheduled to close in July.

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  • Mungo Homes acquires rapidly growing McGuinn Homes

    Mungo Homes acquires rapidly growing McGuinn Homes

    Mungo Homes announced the acquisition of McGuinn Homes, a South Carolina-based homebuilder. In the past three years, McGuinn Homes posted a substantial increase in new home sales from 337 in 2023 to over 1,000 in 2025.

    McGuinn Homes’ presence in  Augusta, Georgia, and Aiken, South Carolina, was a driving factor in this strategic acquisition.

    Mungo Homes is a Clayton Home Building Group builder, owned by larger subsidiary Berkshire Hathaway.

    Berkshire Hathaway also recently acquired homebuilding giant Taylor Morrison in an $8.5 billion deal.  While on a considerably smaller scale, the sale of McGuinn Homes continues the increase of consolidation in the housing industry. Financial terms of the deal were not publicly disclosed.

    “We’re excited to join the Mungo family and continue our commitment to the markets we impact,” said Wade McGuinn, founder and managing shareholder of McGuinn Homes. “Together, we’re well positioned to provide more attainable homeownership opportunities through a shared commitment to customer service and operational excellence.”

    “The addition of McGuinn Homes to the Mungo family reflects our shared values of attainable homeownership, world-class team member experience, and giving back to the people and communities we serve,” said Keith Holdbrooks, chief executive officer of Clayton Home Building Group. “This acquisition allows both teams to come together and expand access to affordable homes in more markets while serving as a united force for good through volunteerism.”

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  • Cotality Chief Economist explains ‘geographic split’ in mid-2026 housing market

    Cotality Chief Economist explains ‘geographic split’ in mid-2026 housing market

    Cotality released its July 2026 U.S. home price insights report on July 7, 2026. According to the report, the U.S. housing market is building momentum. Following a steady two-year slowdown, home price appreciation accelerated in May, ticking up to an annual pace of 0.8% from April’s 0.6%. This acceleration indicates that beneath a seemingly frozen surface, local demand is aggressively testing the constraints of elevated mortgage rates.

    “The U.S. housing market in mid-2026 remains firmly entrenched in a geographic split, shaped fundamentally by an affordability gap and a wealth gap that continues to divide buyers across the nation,” said Cotality Chief Economist Dr. Selma Hepp.

    The report found an interesting shift in one of the nation’s housing markets. The West Coast landscape is being propelled by AI investments and newly minted tech wealth. San Francisco’s three-month metric reveals a striking reality: A staggering 7.6% of its 8.9% annual growth occurred in the last 90 days alone.

    “What we are witnessing is a profound segmentation of opportunity,” said Hepp. “Buyers who are well-insulated from mortgage rate volatility, bolstered by substantial accumulated home equity and robust wealth gains, are continuing to look at high-value regions like San Francisco, driving a strong near-9% annual rebound in a market that remains fundamentally healthy and structurally undervalued relative to long-term income baselines.”

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  • Mortgage rates average 6.43%

    Mortgage rates average 6.43%

    Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey on July 2, 2026, showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.43%.

    “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage eased slightly this week, averaging 6.43%,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “With rates at a seven-week low and purchase demand continuing to edge higher, it’s an encouraging sign as prospective homebuyers respond to modest improvements in affordability.”

    As of July 2, 2026, the FRM decreased from the week before, when it averaged 6.49%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.67%. Meanwhile, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.79%, down from when it averaged 5.84%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.80%.

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  • Home building employment concentrated in rural markets

    Home building employment concentrated in rural markets

    According to the National Association of Home Builders’ Home Building Geography Index (HBGI), residential construction is playing a larger role in rural and suburban markets. Among the seven HBGI categories, non-metro/micro counties recorded the highest concentration of residential construction employment.

    NAHB’s analysis of county-level data shows that the industry’s employment footprint is particularly large in rural and smaller-market counties, where home building accounts for a greater share of total employment than it does nationally. Large metro core counties are showing relatively lower employment concentration due to their more diversified economies, which are less dependent on home building activity.

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  • Dream Finders Homes makes fifth bid to acquire Beazer Homes

    Dream Finders Homes makes fifth bid to acquire Beazer Homes

    On July 8, 2026, Dream Finders Homes presented its fifth offer to acquire Beazer Homes. While a merger of the two companies would create the sixth-largest homebuilder in the nation, the Board of Directors at Beazer Homes publicly rejected Dream Finders Homes’ third offer in May.

    The most recent offer values Beazer Homes at  $32.00 per share in cash, a steady increase from its first offer in February at $28.50 per share in cash.

    “Beazer’s actions do not appear to be focused on pursuing a path that can maximize value for shareholders,” said Patrick Zalupski, Dream Finders’ Chairman and CEO. “While we would have preferred to continue our discussions privately, Beazer’s proposed non-disclosure agreement and related restrictions go well beyond what is necessary to protect confidential information. Taken together with Beazer’s past unwillingness to engage, these provisions raise questions about whether the Board is prepared to pursue a transaction that we believe would be in the best interest of Beazer shareholders.”

    “The proposals represent a significant and unwarranted discount to Beazer’s inherent value, and neither recent nor historical industry transactions support such a valuation,” wrote the Beazer Board in its rejection of the offer in May.

    Beazer Homes has yet to comment on this fifth offer.

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  • How homebuilding shaped 250 years of U.S. history

    How homebuilding shaped 250 years of U.S. history

    As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, one of the most pivotal aspects of the American Dream is homeownership and the homebuilding behind it.

    From the first president’s estate, Mount Vernon, to America’s first planned city, Savannah, Georgia, the history of homebuilding is woven into the fabric of the country.

    Since first studied by the U.S. Census, the homeownership rate in the U.S. in 1965 was 62.9%. There have been periodic increases and dips, while it currently sits at 65.3 in Q1 2026.

    Construction of housing rose to its peak in 2005 with over 2 million housing starts. The National Association of REALTORS estimates the country lacks 4.7 million homes.

    The future landscape of housing production is positive, with a landmark housing bill passed by both the House and the Senate.

    “NAHB applauds lawmakers for working together in a bipartisan, bicameral effort to pass historic housing legislation that will deliver real benefits for the American people,” said Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. “The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will help increase the nation’s housing supply by reducing regulatory barriers and encouraging local governments to reform zoning and land-use policies that have limited home building. By expanding homeownership and rental housing opportunities nationwide, this legislation will help ease the housing affordability crisis.”

    People behind the homebuilding industry play a key part in this country’s founding ideals.

    A celebration of the country’s 250 years of history includes homebuilding.

     

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